HOUSE CALLS: Erin from Recovering Lazyholic

I want to introduce you to the vibrant, unique and energetic talent of Erin, from Recovering Lazyholic. It is impossible for me to adequately describe the work that Erin does as she really is a jack of all trades when it comes to creating images. And anyway, I know you would much rather here it from her. Erin, over to you...
Describe the work that you do. "I have two major interests. One is photography and it has been something I've enjoyed doing since I was a little kid. And I suppose in the last year I have also spent a lot time doing graphic design. I actually never felt comfortable with that label (graphic design) since I have absolutely no training and I figured calling it that suggests I know what I'm doing. But some other folks have said it's graphic design, and I suppose technically it is... so it's easier to just go with that than continue to say "it's some stuff I do". ANYWAY both expressions of creativity are pretty selfish. Photography feels like something I have to do to sort of charge my batteries (like food), to fill me up with happiness, as silly as that sounds. The designs are more like the excrement, except hopefully a little prettier than the kind one generally thinks of. I don't think I could stop making them if I wanted to. My brain would could get too clogged up with nonsense and crud."

"Ruination" Print part of Erin's "One Minute Photoshop Thoughts" series.

"Beyond that I'm a pretty big fan of typography, word association, color coding... things that connect other things to help make sense out of things that otherwise might not. It all probably sounds loftier than I intend it to. Again these are all sort of exercises for myself and if other people like it then that is a bonus"

Prints from Recovering Lazyholic's New ABCs series.

What was the career/education path you took to get to this point? "I studied photography in high school and a little in college. My mom worked for a local newspaper so I also had full access to their darkroom which I took advantage of. Beyond that nothing formal. I didn't finish school and sort of lost my motivation to make anything when I became more obsessed with working at my job. It wasn't until a relationship fell apart and I lost my job that I redirected my attention to my long lost love of making things. You can't beat that kind of therapy."

Where do you get your inspirations? "In no particular order... Sesame St., Little Golden books, 1001 blogs I have bookmarked in Google Reader, my parents, driving around, dreams, movies, hormones, bad habits, love and the ridiculous."

"Vista" Photographic Print

Describe the creative process in designing and constructing a particular piece. "Photographs are a generally and on-the-fly kind of thing... I see it and shoot it. The designs I make usually begin from an out of no-where thought that I doodle down as it's happening... if I'm upset, frustrated, really excited; usually an extreme emotion that I need to expel and it feels less melodramatic to make a quick diagram of sorts than to write "dear diary, ________ is ________ and I'm going to describe it a 1,000 words that will only make me tired and sick of my thoughts".

"Seating" Print

Where do you create your work? "Everything is done at my house. I have an office where my computer, scanner, and extra hard drives are. I'm surrounded by my Pez collection, my favorite movie poster (Nuovo Cinema Paradiso), novelty toys, camera collection, and tons of scraps of paper (including bills I'm afraid to open). I also have a back room with my work table, which is where I having my cutting board and other crafty type supplies. Both are a complete disaster and seeing them would only make people wonder how anyone can do anything in such a tortured looking environment, but I promise you if I make them look more respectable I will send photos."

"Reminder-Call Your Folks" Photographic Print from the Reminders series of photographs.

Would you share with us some of your favourite artisans? "I'm going to cheat and break into two groups... although I could list many many more. I love Jason Munn. His posters say so much with so little. Same goes for Olly Moss. Mark Weaver is also terrific."

Sonic Youth Poster from a selection of Jason Munn Posters

The "Make Something Cool Everyday" Project 2009 by Olly Moss

Editorial Illustration for The Sunday Times Magazine

"My current favorite photographers are Missy Prince, Allison V Smith, and Andrew Sea James"

Where can we find your work for sale?Etsy

"Fornication" Print

What/who are the things you love most in your life? "My family, my friends, my boyfriend, my dogs, sleeping, dreaming, travelling, watching movies, making things, eating beef jerky, and drinking orange soda on special occasions"

"Between the Sheets" Photographic Print

What would you do “in your wildest dreams”, if there were no restrictions (like money, or responsibilities!)? "My wildest dream is to get in my car and drive across the country taking pictures of everything little thing I could, and stay at the weirdest crappiest motels along the way (excluding any places that have dirty sheets or stranger's body hair). And obviously not have to work."

What is your greatest professional achievement? "Well it doesn't take much to feel like I've achieved much so what it an accomplishment to me might look like amateur hour to someone else. I was just in a Brazilian magazine and that was kind of cool. I made some posters and did the artwork for a musician's album (including slap bracelets) and that was a lot of fun and a bit of a departure since I don't often make things for other people (but I'm definitely up for doing more of that)."

Journal Of Doing with Pencil

What is new with you and your work? "I made a series of cards called "Symbolisms". They're little business card sized sentiments that include, well, a symbol and a sentiment. Probably not terribly practical but again playing around with imagery and words. I've been taking more photos with my old AE-1 and liking the results. I'm going to finally work on a photo series that captures what we are all lazy about. Who knows where that will lead though. And I'm going to Baltimore soon and really looking forward to having an opportunity to take photos of those surroundings."

Symbolisms

Do you have a motto for life? "It's cheesy but goes along with my Recovering Lazyholic persona, and that is "the prescription is doing", meaning keep yourself busy, do stuff, and life can be pretty fulfilling. It's a nicer way of saying "get off your lazy ass"."

As you know, I love a good Prescription myself! Check in on Erin's blog, to follow her exploits and creative output. It is a great read as well as a visual feast. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next. Thanks Erin for doing such a fabulous job of letting us into your creative world.